She would have been 63 this year. But, instead of a birthday, yesterday, we remembered the 10th anniversary of her death. My sister Patty died 10 years ago from cancer after a six year journey of diagnoses, treatments, side effects, and lots of prayers.

I can’t believe it’s been ten years. It seems like forever since she’s been with us but at the same time, life has sped forward at an incredible rate. So much has happened since she died. Three of her children are out of college, two are married, and one now has two children of his own. They’ve all grown into kind and compassionate adults who love and value each other. She would be proud.

I’ve missed her throughout the ten years she’s been gone but I especially remember how hard the first year without her was. Looking back, I can see now that I was much more affected than I realized for longer than I realized. That year, I struggled with my faith but not in the way you might expect. I wasn’t angry at God. I didn’t question His existence or His motives. I accepted that there was much that I didn’t understand and wouldn’t ever be able to understand. For some reason the thing I struggled with was heaven.

When Patty died, I had the difficult task of sharing the news with my two oldest children who were eight and five at the time. I explained to them that their Aunt Patty was in heaven and what a wonderful place it was; she could ride horses, run, play, and eat whatever she wanted; all the things she couldn’t do when she had cancer. But even as I said those words, I started to feel unsatisfied with them. The description of heaven I gave them was fine for a child but not for a woman in her mid-thirties. I realized that my understanding of heaven hadn’t changed since I was child. At that moment, the cartoonish image of heaven I had in my mind made it seem like a fairy tale. And fairy tales aren’t real.

That’s when my internal debate began: I doubted the existence of heaven but I didn’t doubt the existence of God. I believed God loved me and would fulfill His promise so why did I doubt that He would provide a place for me? It wasn’t logical at all. A class of undergrads in philosophy 101 would’ve torn my thought process to pieces. Nevertheless, that’s where I stood; somewhere between faith and disbelief. It wasn’t until I got up the courage to tell a priest about my concerns and confusion that I got any peace. His answer to my doubt? None of knows what heaven is like but we do know that in heaven we are in God’s presence. Everything else is secondary.

Turns out that was all I needed to hear. The streets of heaven may be paved with gold or they may not be. The Pearly Gates may or may not be pearly. All of the dearly departed may walk around in white robes or not. But as long as I’m in the presence of God, I don’t care about the rest. God is enough.

Copyright 2015 Laura Nelson

]]>http://catholicmom.com/2015/03/03/suffering-loss-doubts-comforts/feed/0Introducing the “Chime Traveler” Series for Elementary Readershttp://catholicmom.com/2015/03/03/introducing-the-chime-traveler-series-for-elementary-readers/
http://catholicmom.com/2015/03/03/introducing-the-chime-traveler-series-for-elementary-readers/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 20:00:54 +0000http://catholicmom.com/?p=80183I have fun news to share today! A sneak peek at the newly finished book covers for my next project: Chime Travelers. This next writing adventure is truly that, an adventure!

Chime Travelers, being released next Fall in conjunction with Franciscan Media, is a children’s chapter book series that combines time travel and the lives of the saints. I’ve fallen in love with my two main characters, twin siblings Patrick and Katie Brady. Without giving too much away, I can share that the books are intended to be both entertaining and educational, without getting too preachy. They are the types of stories I hope you’ll want to read alongside your kiddos.

My people are Talkers–always were, always will be. When I say Talkers, I mean people who could tell you a story on the drop of a dime. Because of that, I hold in my heart some long, tall tales told by parents and grandparents, aunts, uncles, and a cousin or two.

A few of these tales were hard to believe, but most were examples of ‘how it used to be.’

My mother told tales of growing up in Savannah, Georgia and family visits to Tybee Island for picnics, swimming, the excitement of The Tybrisa Pavilion with its famous crystal ball, big bands, and dime dances–and the day she and her sister would have drowned except they were saved by the ghost of an Indian boy who suddenly rose from a wave and pushed both of them ashore. She swore it was true, with a grin on her face.

My father usually responded with stories of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; like the rabbits he raised, intending to sell them to the University’s Research Center–except as the rabbits grew older, he grew more fond of them, so he never sold a one, and talked his mother into letting him keep twenty-five rabbits in cages in the backyard.

And then, there was my grandfather, born on a farm in Cordele, GA who loved to tease my grandmother who was born in Macon, Ga about not knowing a thing about country life. Of course, she proved him wrong by buying a bunch of Rhode Island Red hens that laid egg after egg in their garage and pecked his legs every time he went to get in the car— until he showed them his BB gun–just showed it; this was told to children after all– and then they turned tail and ran like a red line down the street, ending up at the Piggly Wiggly, from which they never returned.

Oh, there are so many more stories, and I’m sure you have many like them, too. The point is that the Past is colorful. And it is valuable. Many people say forget it, but every person’s Present and Future have depended on it. “How it used to be” gives us a guide to go by today, and sometimes a genuine caution about tomorrow.

Basketball is a long season, and it’s been a fun first for my family. I have had a chance to see a side of my husband I’ve only heard about and I’ve watched the inherent and alien athleticism come to life in these offspring of his. (They don’t get it from ME, I assure you! My sport of choice is READING!)

I finished a book this week, in part because I have been making myself read before bed. My little mantra is: close the computer, open the book. It’s relaxing and hey, it’s my sport of choice!

Recent Reads

I wasn’t keen on reading this book, but an editor asked me to interview Dawn Eden, and I determined that yeah, I should probably read the book to prepare myself.

I was NOT prepared for (a) excellent writing that (b) applied to me and that was (c) page-turningly compelling. There’s a reason Eden is a Catholic rock star, huh? (I’m an idiot, yes. But you knew that already and love me anyway.)

Within the covers of this book there’s wrenching honesty and truth that shines through. Eden bares herself, but she doesn’t ever go all TMI the way some chastity writers are prone to do. She’s mature and I suspect that this edition of the book is a different book altogether than the initial book.

I’ll be writing more about this book after I’ve interviewed Eden and parsed through my own thoughts on this. I filled a page with notes (as opposed to the usual highlight/underline strategy I use) and I’m sure this is a book that I’ll be referencing again and again.

Current Reads

I’m a few chapters in and already certain that this is a book that, while aimed at encouraging Catholic dads, is just as much for EVERY Catholic to read. It comes with a tissue warning (but then, EVERYTHING has a tissue warning for me these days!).

]]>http://catholicmom.com/2015/03/03/book-talk-and-snowmaggedonly-basketball/feed/0Listen to Your Hearthttp://catholicmom.com/2015/03/03/listen-to-your-heart/
http://catholicmom.com/2015/03/03/listen-to-your-heart/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 16:00:36 +0000http://catholicmom.com/?p=79960We are over a week into Lent, and already, the desert is unbearable! It is hot, uncomfortable, and DRY.

But is this not what Lent is supposed to do? Make us feel a little uncomfortable? Make us consider the path of Our Lord’s Passion? Make us turn inward to know that our only refuge in the desert is through the Sacred Heart of Jesus?

I am noticing things I should have given up for Lent. As a working Catholic mom, I often fall into these traps without notice – until Lent.

I should have considered giving up gossip and grumbling at work.

I should have given up the constant distraction of social media.

I should have given up yelling at my kids.

But I did not give up these things…only now do I notice them. Only now can I ask Blessed Mary to help me develop the virtues of humility, patience, meekness, gentleness. And I have been asking those very things.

One thing I have tried to do this Lent is clear my mind and listen. I have tried to make more time for reflective praying, truly trying to listen to the still small voice.

The other day, I was blow drying my hair for work, when I was going through the litany of negativity in my mind about things I was upset about at this time. I said a prayer quickly, asking Jesus to show me the way to process this all and to FIX it (I was asking Jesus to show ME how to FIX all of this = STUPID). When I turned on the blow dryer, I recalled a statement in the Bible, “I have conquered the world.”

WHOA!

Here is the real quote:

“Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” John 16:32-33

Combined with reading stories about St. Rita of Cascia, my Lent has taken a new journey…one of listening with my heart, not just my ears.

St. Rita led a life of suffering – and complete surrender to the Passion of Our Lord – knowing He was fully providential and loved her immensely. She lived a married life for a long time, in an unhappy marriage. However, she was graced with her husband’s conversion. Later, he died at the hands of his enemies. She would later become a sister, which was the longing of her heart. However, she continued to suffer at the hands of her convent, and ultimately bore a wound of Christ, repelling many from her.

She was never afraid to embrace the Passion of Our Lord. She understood that in this life, we suffer much, but there is no need to fear, for Our Lord has conquered it all.

What are you doing this Lent to walk your journey of faith? Though I did not “give up” anything so to speak, I am growing in holiness through the internal shifts in thoughts and prayer. Here are a few things that you may want to try, if you are still struggling with the journey:

Read a book about a saint. I truly believe Our Lord led me to the life of St. Rita, for such a time as this. She is teaching me to embrace the Passion and the desert, so the celebration at Easter is much richer.

Leave your telephone on your bedside table. You would be surprised how much this clears your day/evening for the things that really matter on this journey.

Add Scripture into your day. I have incorporated reading the daily Mass readings. The flow of the messages truly helps me in this journey.

If you are looking for a great book to add to your child’s Easter basket this year, God’s Easter Gifts is it! Written by Brenda Castro this book creatively has your children join siblings Bella and Pablo on their Easter egg hunt after Easter mass. The children were so excited to find candy, toys and goodies and instead found gifts much greater!

In their Easter egg hunt the children found the gifts of Strength, Nature, Friendship, Food, Faith, Family, and most importantly the gift of Life. This adorable book helps bring the true meaning of Easter to your family in such a pure and beautiful way. Our children loved the illustrations including some from their favorite Bible stories of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, the Last Supper and of the Holy Family. As a parent my favorite part of this book is the questions that accompany at the end of the page with each different gift. These questions truly allow for great discussion with your children to grow in their faith and understand God’s love for each of us.

As we celebrate Easter we want our children to celebrate all of the gifts that God has given to us, especially the gift of His Son, Jesus. The book God’s Easter Gifts is the perfect way to bring this understanding of God’s gifts into our homes!

I know, it’s Lent. And I’m out of sync with the liturgical calendar. But I’ve been meditating on the Resurrection in my Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, and something really struck me recently. It involved Peter, John and the tomb of Jesus, which Mary Magdalene had just reported she’d found empty. The two apostles ran like lightening to see it for themselves, and John, being faster, arrived first.

When he got there, the beloved disciple merely bent down apprehensively and peered into the dark grave. But then he stepped into the tomb, and he truly came to believe. Suddenly, John saw things from a completely new perspective, and he understood what it meant to rise from the dead (John 20:8-9).

How often have we peered into the tomb of our lives, standing on the edge of real or imagined “death,” looking in and fearing the worst? How many times have we gazed into the black hole of our dreads, afraid that we might fall into the darkness? I’ve done it a thousand times, and I’ve learned firsthand, it’s deadly.

Truth is, we cannot know the power of God to raise us from a thousand deaths until we step into the tomb and experience the power of the Resurrection. That shift in perspective is precisely what constitutes hope.

I’m watching hope unfold in living color in the life of my son, Christian, and, oh, how it makes my heart smile. I remember five short months ago when Christian came home from Communita Cenacolo, the place he had called home for four years. Leaving the safe confines of the cloistered community that saved his life and delivered him from addiction was a frightening prospect. He was anxious about how he would take care of himself, and had no idea where he was going or what the future held.

“How am I supposed to do this?” he asked, understandably scared about how he was going to make it on the outside. I had agreed to follow Community’s wise counsel of letting him find his own way, and of not rescuing him from his own life.

“You do it by doing it, Christian,” I assured him. “And with God’s help, you will learn that you can do it.”

God quickly opened a door for him to go to Wyoming—back to the youth ranch where he had lived for a year as a fourteen year-old boy. He was offered a job there earning minimal pay and working long hours running a house full of troubled teens; boys that I knew would provide a mirror image of him at that age. He took the job and packed his bags, leaving my house with a sack full of qualms and “what ifs” on his back. My heart ached as I watched him peer into the tomb of his life, and all I could do was pray and trust that God would take care of him.

Christian’s legs were wobbly when he first stepped in, just like when he learned to walk. But he moved into his fears with faith, and his legs grew stronger. With each step forward, his faith and strength grew, and the hope in his voice increased.

“I’m doing it, Mama,” he shared yesterday, as I told him how proud I am of him. “And it’s not as bad as I thought.”

Peering into the darkness can be terrifying, and we tend to imagine the worst. But stepping into the empty tomb and experiencing the power of the Resurrection convinces us that Jesus has, in fact, overcome death—both His own and every death we face. We may know this theoretically, and even believe it in good faith. But it is only in experiencing this reality personally that we can come to know the force of the Resurrection, a force that moves stones away and blows boulders out of our lives.

To Ponder: Have I experienced stepping into the tomb of my fears and overcoming them through the power of the Resurrection?

Three years ago, our family did something that’s becoming more and more popular: we cancelled our satellite service and got a digital TV antenna for our flat-screen TV. With this antenna and our AppleTV, as well as subscriptions to Netflix and Hulu+ streaming, we manage to watch almost everything we wanted to watch when we were paying $70/month for our TV service.

Our Leaf Antenna

When we first did it, we were very nervous about it. We had both had cable or satellite for as long as we could remember — or at least throughout our adult lives. I faintly remembered the days of my father going up on the roof to adjust our big antenna. I also remembered how ugly that bunch of metal was up there on the roof!

I wasn’t sure how we would deal with fewer choices of things to watch, especially when it came to sports. But it’s turned out that most of what we watched in the past wasn’t the kind of thing we missed when it was gone. Let me go through each piece of our home-entertainment puzzle.

Let me start with the digital antenna, which provides us with local channels.

We got a Leaf Amplified Antenna that picks up HDTV signals in a radius of up to 50 miles. For most people, this will pick up all of the local networks — ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS — as well as the sub-channels that are “hidden” behind the network signal.

Our local NBC has a second channel that tends to run older shows all day long. Our local CBS has two sub-channels: one that runs constant regional weather updates and forecasts, and another that runs ME-TV, which runslaying old TV shows like Bob Newhart, Dragnet, Columbo, Rockfold Files and more. Our PBS feed has three options, including PBS International! We also get a few shopping channels and Q-BO, as well as The CW, FOX’s little sister channel (and these two also come in as non-HD channels).

Overall, we have nearly two dozen channels, including the sub-channels of our local networks. This isn’t bad for the area we live in, and is bound to be better in more urban areas. The Leaf Antenna mounts inside the house on your wall, and is hardly noticeable. (You can see it in the picture to the right.)

The picture is crystal clear, too. When we first got our HDTVs, we didn’t think we’d be keeping satellite (we had a new monthly expense that would be covered by the money we were spending on TV service). We kept the standard box rather than upgrade to HD programming. We knew the kind of picture an HDTV could give you because we started watching DVDs, but we were absolutely floored at the reception we got when we attached the Leaf antenna! If you already pay for HD television through cable or satellite, you know the kind of picture I’m talking about, but for us newbies, it was kind of stunning.

The Downside:

Because of where we live, we don’t get ABC. We’re just a shade more than 50 miles from the closest ABC affiliate, and the only time we get anything on that channel is when the skies are just right; but even then, the signal is still bad. For most people, especially those who nearer to a metropolitan area, this shouldn’t be a problem.

The only other downside that I’ve noticed with picking up the HD channels on the antenna is that when the signal gets a little scrambled, there’s no fuzz — instead the channel just goes out on you. This isn’t because of the antenna, though; it’s simply the nature of the digital signal.

The second piece to our puzzle comes through our AppleTV, which provides us with the ability to stream Netflix and Hulu+ to our TV.

Netflix, which is about $9/month, allows us to stream movies and older TV shows, as well as Netflix’s original content, to our TV. This is the main way we watch movies we don’t own, and we fill in with movies from the library if we aren’t planning on purchasing it. While Netflix has had the best selection of content, Amazon Prime is another way to accomplish this. (For reasons that are probably pretty obvious, our AppleTV does not stream Amazon Prime.)

Our Hulu+ subscription, which runs about $8/month, gives us access to most major network shows the day after they air. Up to five weeks of programming is stored on Hulu, at which point the sixth week back is deleted from the queue. It’s not quite as flexible as our old DVR was, but it’s a lot less money. Hulu+ also has movies and old TV shows like Dragnet and every single episode from the original Star Trek series. If you’re into Korean television, Hulu+ has you covered there.

My only problem with Hulu+ has been that they also have a lot of inappropriate content that comes up easily in a search. I’ve asked my teens not to search for things on Hulu, but it’s worth knowing that the content is there. To be on the safe side, there’s a dedicated Kids’ area on the Hulu app that narrows choices to appropriate shows for your youngsters.

For our family, Hulu is the main way of catching current seasons of TV shows we like, especially the ones we can’t pick up live on ABC. Also, since we don’t have a VCR or DVR any more, and we’re rarely home when shows actually air, we tend to miss shows when they’re airing on the networks. That’s us with our crazy schedule, but it’s nice knowing that giving up the ease of paid TV service hasn’t meant that we can’t watch anything if we’re not home for it.

Because of all the entertainment apps on the AppleTV, we have options for other entertainment, as well. The PBS app is fantastic for us; we can watch Downton Abbey or NOVA or Sherlock the day after it’s been aired (or later in the week, if we’re busy). PBS stores 4 episodes at a time for each of their shows, and the app allows you to set up a queue and select shows as favorites for easy access. There’s a PBS Kids app, network news apps, another news app from Wall Street Journal, and more.

Apple continues to add more entertainment apps on the AppleTV, too, though many of them require you to put in your cable account number for full access (HBOToGo, A&E, History Channel, and more). I tend to go into settings and hide apps I’m not interested in or can’t access so I don’t clutter up my home screen.

Apple keeps on adding content to AppleTV.

The Downside:

If your household isn’t big in the Apple Ecosystem, a Roku box can do the same thing as what we’re doing, with the exception of being able to stream your iTunes and photo content from your computer. (I’ve heard that EWTN has an app for Roku, but we’ve found a way around that if we really want to watch EWTN.) Another and increasingly common option is to use the Wi-Fi connection on your SmartTV to access many of these features and sites.

Overall

The one thing we’ve really missed most is sports.

For us, this is mainly caused by a lack of access to ABC, though. We’ve considered purchasing the broadband NBA League Pass for access to basketball (without access to ABC, we have no professional basketball at all). IIIIIIf we were the sort of family who was into soccer or hockey, there are options for those, as well as baseball.

But life without full access to ESPN hasn’t killed us, and we haven’t missed a Super Bowl since we cut the cord. (The night that UCF played in the Tostito Bowl, our family went to a local pub that was playing the game, got a table, ordered a bunch of appetizers, and stayed there to watch it, so we even found a way around this.)

If you don’t mind paying for the league passes for these things (which are less expensive than the annual total for cable or satellite), you can get access to most sports, even without ESPN and all her cousins.

For our family, cutting the cord and using these inexpensive options for TV at home has been excellent.

Honestly, we watch less TV as a result, which is a good thing. We select what we want to watch with more purpose. When it’s time to watch one of our favorite shows, we can just watch that and not get sucked into whatever is on next. One of the biggest boons is that I don’t have the news on constantly throughout the day. While I might not be up to date on every little thing happening in Congress any more, I’m far less stressed about the world.

We decided to cut the cord because we needed the money to pay for something else, but I can’t see going back any time soon. The benefits have far outweighed the negatives for us.

The scribes had the role of educating the people in the Law of Moses; therefore they “[sat]on Moses’ seat.” Phylacteries were belts or bands that contained quotes from Sacred Scripture and were worn by the Jews on their upper arm or forehead. The Pharisees wore wider phylacteries with broader fringes to show that they were more religious than the others.

Jesus used the scribes and Pharisees to teach us a lesson in honesty, integrity, humility, and hypocrisy. He pointed out the importance of making sure that we live what we profess to believe.

I am a hypocrite (therefore lacking in integrity, honesty, and humility), if I profess to love God but show by my actions that I only love myself.

Ponder:

As a Catholic Christian, does your life reflect a deep love for Holy Mother Church? Do you fully embrace Her teachings and strive to live your life in union with the Magisterium of the Catholic Church?

Pray:

Dear Lord, take away my hypocrisy and pride. Grant that I may live for You alone and not for the praise of man.

]]>http://catholicmom.com/2015/03/03/daily-gospel-reflection-for-march-3-2015/feed/0Verbum to Give Away Five Million Dollars in High School Religious Ed Toolshttp://catholicmom.com/2015/03/02/verbum-to-give-away-five-million-dollars-in-high-school-religious-ed-tools/
http://catholicmom.com/2015/03/02/verbum-to-give-away-five-million-dollars-in-high-school-religious-ed-tools/#commentsMon, 02 Mar 2015 23:42:51 +0000http://catholicmom.com/?p=80179

March 1, 2015: Bellingham, WA: Verbum, the Catholic study platform, has announced they will be giving away up to five million dollars in scholarships for schools to implement their brand-new high school religion curriculum. The curriculum, under review by the USCCB, is written on the USCCB’s Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework. Catholic schools that meet a few minimal requirements will be able to get the entire freshman curriculum free this fall.

“Verbum’s software leverages the tools that educators have already acknowledged as necessary for this generation of students – computers, tablets, and phones,” said Robert Klesko, the lead educational designer at Verbum. “We answered the question, ‘Where do you find quality content for these devices once you have them?’ and I think our response is very compelling.”

With Verbum, students learn from the company’s “Lumen” textbook series. Accompanying the textbooks is a digital library of over 200 works of Catholic theology aimed at equipping students for a lifetime of faith-formation. The textbooks serve as springboards into Verbum’s powerful software tools and relevant library.

Image credit: Verbum, used with permission

To qualify for a Verbum scholarship, your school:

Must currently have or be in the process of implementing (for fall 2015) a 1-1 technology/BYOD program. Verbum is compatible with PCs, Macs, iPads, iPhones, Android devices, and Kindle Fire models.

Must pay $2,500 to cover the cost of an in-person training session for their teachers.

Verbum provides high-quality, Catholic information and specialized tools to make studying faster and easier. Verbum is a fully integrated learning platform which will engage today’s students, drawing them into the study of the faith and forming digital disciples.

Verbum is the Catholic division of Faithlife, makers of Logos Bible Software. Verbum works on Macs, PCs, and mobile devices, and serves everyone from the laity to the clergy, and from students and seminarians to teachers and professors.

If you want the official mini-biography you can read that below but here’s the unofficial answer to those burning questions. (Who are you? What do you do? Why do you do what you do?) I’m a writer and a teacher. At various times in my life I’d say I’m a teacher who writes or a writer who teaches, but I’m coming to accept that the distinction doesn’t matter to me. I want to believe that both can be done with a high degree of excellence. As a young friend recently reminded me, I’m more than just my occupation and hobbies. When all that’s gone and I’m just me, I’m still a good listener with a deep love for writing emails and praying for the burdens placed on others.

Devya’s Children started ages ago as a series of short stories I wrote in college. The stories centered on a young girl facing some tough stuff, including her parents’ divorce and her mother’s remarriage. The kid’s voice stayed inside my head and decided to come out around 2010. Writers will understand that statement. I apologize to those I just hit with a creepy vibe.

I don’t typically set out to tackle huge, controversial topics, but conflict confronts people, whether they are real or imagined. Kidnapping, genetic engineering, family identity, growing new friendships, clinging to old friendships, and adapting to hardship are all themes that sprang up in Ashlynn’s Dreams. Diving into the next book, Nadia’s Tears, I knew there would be an aspect of human trafficking.

If your eyebrows did a mini-jump at that statement, you’re proof of why I do what I do.

Now that I’ve got a book to promote, I’ve got a genuine, legitimate excuse to tell people, “Hey, slavery still exists!” Get offended. Get curious. Let that statement strike all the “not in my world!” chords in you. Then, get involved in the fight against modern day slavery in whatever capacity you’re gifted: money, time, talent.

A common theme from the series is summed up in the idea that there are Gifts and gifts. Normal people may not be genetically altered to shape dreams or soothe emotions, but they have gifts that can heal people of hurt all the same. To my knowledge, there are very few Young Adult books that bring up the topic of human trafficking in a way that I’d feel comfortable actually talking to a teenager. (While sex slavery is a part of the industry, it goes way beyond that one facet. If you’d like to read a non-fiction book that delves a little deeper into the types of slavery still in existence, try Not for Sale.)

Devya’s Children Book 2: Nadia’s Tears

Summaries of Books:

In Ashlynn’s Dreams, readers meet Jillian and Danielle. Both girls get kidnapped because the scientists who gave Jillian the ability to shape dreams wish to train her in using her Gifts. Along the way, you also meet Jillian’s genetically altered siblings, including Nadia and Varick. Nadia’s Gifts involve telepathy while Varick’s Gifts are more about physical abilities such as enhanced strength and agility.

Nadia’s Tears picks up where Ashlynn’s Dreams left off. When Nadia suddenly goes completely silent, Jillian asks Varick to investigate. He reports that Nadia’s fallen into a mysterious coma. Jillian turns to her friend, Danielle, for help in getting back to the scientists keeping watch over Nadia. While Jillian’s off trying to awaken her sister, Danielle struggles to balance school and keeping another friend out of trouble with human traffickers.

Behind the Story:

Human trafficking exists. That small statement, brought up by one of my students ages ago, intrigued me enough to do some research. It’s surprising, but not everybody knows that the slave trade is very much alive and well. Oh, it’s illegal and frowned upon by most people, but it still happens. I knew going into Nadia’s Tears that I wanted to include the topic of human trafficking/ modern day slavery. I just didn’t know it would become such a central theme.

What Amazon readers say about Nadia’s Tears:

“Nadia’s Tears is a fabulously unique blend of young adult action, mystery, and a bit of sci-fi that will keep you turning the pages so late into the night that you’ll need to drink coffee to stay awake the next day at school or work.” ~Aria

“A “page turner” in every sense, “Nadia’s Tears” has all the ingredients: supernatural abilities, action, adventure, conflict and a dash of mystery to keep even the most discerning reader entertained.” ~Peter

“I enjoyed this book even more than the first one.” ~Kayla

“There is so much to these books. The exploration of good and evil, progress versus morality. It is all wrapped up in a package of lovable characters that I want to keep reading about. Each time I come to an epilogue I want to cry!” ~Alexis

Editor’s note: Today, we’re happy to share a guest post from Sister Christina Marie Neumann, OSF, who offers an inside look at the new blog Our Franciscan Fiat. I hope you’ll take a few moments to check it out. Please keep all of the Sisters in your prayers! Lisa

Sister Christina Newmann

My name is Sr. Christina Neumann. I serve at St. Anne’s Guest Home in Grand Forks, North Dakota. We have an assisted living-type facility for seniors and people who are unable to live alone due to physical and/or mental disabilities. I have been here for almost six years and the past four years I have been leading a weekly Bible study for our residents (any of whom wish to attend).

I have found catholicmom.com to be a very valuable resource to me, as I usually base the lesson off the preceding Sunday’s Mass readings. I find myself coming back for the coloring pages and links again and again, so thank you!

This past November, in an effort to enhance public relations and stimulate community awareness, I started a blog for St. Anne’s, entitled “the St. Anne’s Scoop,” which covers a variety of topics connected with our facility.

It is our hope that we can connect more with people who are already friends of the community as well as with others who may be interested in Religious Life. The inspiration for the title of our blog comes from a couple of passages in our Rule and Constitutions which allude to Mary’s Fiat.

“Fiat” is the Latin word for “Let it be,” which is often used to refer to Mary’s response, her “yes” to the Angel Gabriel at the Annunciation. We, as Franciscan Sisters of Dillingen, are called to echo this loving, obedient “yes” every day of our lives.

I invite you to visit Our Franciscan Fiat. I would also be very happy to receive any questions or comments about religious life which I could cover there.

Have a wonderful day, and to quote our Franciscan Rule again, may “the Lord give you peace!”

~ Sister Christina Marie Neumann, OSF

About Sister Christina: I grew up in West St. Paul, Minnesota, in a family with three younger siblings. After high school, I attended St. Catherine’s in St. Paul, majoring in written communications. It was not until my college years that I really perceived my vocation to religious life.

Over a year after college, I found our community of Franciscan Sisters in North Dakota and eventually made my final profession a year and a half ago. I have been serving at St. Anne’s Guest Home here in Grand Forks for almost six years.

If you can’t get your teen to go to bed, you’re not alone. American teens sleep less now than they did twenty years ago, according to a study published in the medical journal Pediatrics. This very large study looked at more than 250,000 teens between 1991-2012, and the results are eye-opening. As our children move through adolescence they sleep less and less. In the past twenty years there has been an overall decline in adolescent sleep. More than half of teen ages 15 and older sleep less than seven hours per night, and about 85% of teens get less than the recommended 8-10 hours of sleep per night. Age 14-15 seems to be a big turning point for sleep deprivation, a year when teens experience the greatest drop in hours of sleep per night.

“Overall, across 20 years and all age groups, 12 to 19, there has been a downward shift in the proportion of adolescents getting seven or more hours of sleep,” says Katherine Keyes, co-author of the study.

This study is published just after the National Sleep Foundation released new aged-based recommendations for hours of sleep per night. Teens aged 14-17 need 8-10 hours of sleep per night, according to the new recommendations. Previously, it was thought that teens aged 14-17 needed 8.5-9.5 hours of sleep per night.

In other words, your teen probably needs at least 1-3 more hours of sleep per night.

But most teens don’t want to go to bed, and that’s normal. During adolescence, biological sleep cycles shift so that it’s natural to want to go to bed later and wake up later. So it’s natural for a teen to have trouble sleeping before 10 or 11 pm and then need to sleep in until 8 or 9 am. Their middle aged parents also go to bed around 10 or 11 but need less sleep and hence don’t have trouble waking up earlier. And hence we have a set-up for the classic problem– teens and parents both go to bed around 10 or 11 pm, parents wake up for work but teens don’t want to wake up for school.

Your teens aren’t lazy, obstinate, or difficult, they just need more sleep.

A lot of teens think they get enough sleep even when they don’t. This research showed a mismatch between perceptions of adequate sleep and actual reported sleep times. Females, racial/ethnic minorities, and adolescents of low SES were the most likely to think they were getting enough sleep yet report an inadequate number of hours of sleep.

Sleep is essential for both physical and psychological health, as well as academic performance. “The road to academic success is paved with sleep,” according to Dr. James Kemp, the director of our sleep center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Sleep helps kids do well in school, improves social functioning, prevents illness and injuries, and may even prevent obesity. Sleep deprivation is strongly associated with adolescent depression and anxiety.

Here are nine ways you can help your teen sleep more:

Advocate for later school start times: Based on extensive research, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that middle and high schools should start at 8:30 am or later. Later school starting times is a cost-effective approach to improving academic performance, and has even been shown to increase lifetime future earnings. Read more about this topic in the AAP’s policy statement on school start times.

Talk to your child about sleep: Lots of teens don’t realize they aren’t getting enough sleep and don’t recognize the importance of sleep for health. Your teen may just need some education on the subject. Not sure how to start the conversation? Show them this article as a starting point.

Leverage the natural power of melatonin: Melatonin is a natural hormone made by your brain that triggers that sleepy, I-can’t-keep-my-eyes-open feeling. Light exposure reduces melatonin production, including blue light from LED screens. Dim lights and pull shades to darken your home at least 30 minutes before your child’s bedtime. The darkness will trigger a surge of melatonin that will make bedtime much easier. Melatonin supplements are available over-the-counter at most pharmacies. I do not recommend regular melatonin use in children or adolescents, but there are some situations where short-term melatonin use may help kids get back on a sleep schedule. Do not give your child melatonin without first discussing it with your pediatrician.

Rule out medical conditions that can impair sleep: Sleep apnea, narcolepsy, depression and anxiety are just a few of the medical conditions that can impair sleep and have very negative effects on the the life experience. Narcolepsy often presents in adolescence and can be misdiagnosed as depression or even laziness. At St. Louis Children’s Hospital, we provide comprehensive sleep evaluation and treatment through our sleep center. To learn more about our sleep center or make an appointment, click here or call 314-454-KIDS. Our brochure, “A Parent’s Guide to Sleep Disorders,” can provide more information about sleep disorders including sleep apnea and narcolepsy.

Help your child write out and live by an evening and bedtime schedule: The trick to getting to bed on time is an evening and bedtime schedule. If you child still has chores or homework to do, chances are you will let her stay up to finish. Most teens only have about 4 hours each day at home before bedtime. This time is valuable. Have a schedule for homework, paid work, extra-curriculars, practicing, bathing, and unstructured free time. Encourage your child to stick to a regular bedtime routine, just as when they were younger.

Set a bedtime for your screens, too: Screen time before bed prolongs “sleep latency,” or the time it takes to fall asleep. So your screens need a bedtime, too, at least ninety minutes before your child’s bedtime (I prefer two hours). Set an alarm on your phone or tablet for your screen’s “bedtime.” Choose a unique alarm sound, like a barking dog, so that when the dog barks the kids know it’s time for the screen to go to bed. Then pick a common spot to charge up your screens overnight– we use a basket on the kitchen counter. This makes it easier for you, as a parent, to check that all screens are off and out of kids’ bedrooms at least 90 minutes before bedtime.

Exercise: What is your child’s primary form of exercise during the school year? Exercise helps kids sleep well, and sleep improves athletic performance. Avoid exercise in the 2 hour window before bed.

Get rid of chemical stimulants: Caffeine, energy drinks, chocolate, and nicotine interfere with sleep. When you’re trying to get your teen on a sleep schedule, it’s best to get rid of all of it. Some “health” and energy drinks contain elusive amounts of caffeine, so be careful as to what your children are drinking and read labels.

Refill your medications: ADHD medications, antidepressants, and other common pediatric drugs can alter sleep. Be sure your child is taking their prescription at the right time of day and isn’t missing doses.

M-A-R-C-H! It feels oh so very good to say goodbye to February and move one day closer to spring. I’ve been off my game: doldrums, cravings, weight gain, apathy, restlessness, confusion … and I’m not even pregnant! Chalk it up to two parts “The Februaries” and one part spiritual warfare. Scratch that: it’s probably more like two parts spiritual warfare and one part The Februaries. I met up with a friend earlier this week and she asked, “Are you still seeing a spiritual director.” “Nope,” I quickly replied. And my friend said, “I can tell.”

Ugh. (We laughed about it, but still … ugh!)

Without getting into the details, my husband and I are discerning some changes for our family. God is speaking to us, nudging us to reconsider things as they are, yet the path forward really hasn’t been made clear. So we wait, and I’m very restless and impatient. I want answers, Lord! Thank God for this season of Lent and its focus on prayer and fasting.

On a recent episode of The Jennifer Fulwiler Show on SiriusXM’s The Catholic Channel, Dr. Bill Thierfelder, president of Belmont Abbey College, was chatting with Jen and said, “Whether you are a world-class athlete, a world-class mom, or a world-class business man, when you put everything into the present moment, not only will you perform your very best, you are in union with God in that moment. The degree to which we remain in the present moment is the degree to which we are in union with God.”

Powerful words, huh? What initially grabbed my attention was Dr. Thierfelder’s words “world-class mom.” How often do we moms lump ourselves into the same category as world-class athletes or world-class business men? How often do we even believe that the work we do rises to the level of world-class anything? How many times have I instead allowed the snarky title of “World’s Worst Mom” to creep into my thoughts and impact my actions?

As I pondered this world-class athlete and mom connection, Russell Wilson, the quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, came to mind. (Because nothing screams world-class mom like Russell Wilson, right?!) Wilson had another terrific year on the football field, leading his team to a second consecutive Super Bowl. By now you most likely know how that game ended. Russell Wilson threw a last-minute interception, crushing the Seahawks’ chance to become back-to-back champions. The play leading to the interception was mercilessly analyzed and scrutinized by the sport’s talking heads; one football legend even said it was the worst play call in the history of football. Really, the worst play ever?

Russell Wilson’s reaction?

Thank You God for the opportunity. We’ll be back… I will never waiver on who He has called me to be… Thanks 12s #GoHawks

Now there’s a man who is secure in his identity as a beloved son of God.

I concede that the demands Russell Wilson faces on a daily basis really can’t compare to the demands we moms experience day in and day out. But how often lately have I become overwhelmed by the “defensive pressure” and thrown an interception. It’s not so much the interception that pushes me to the sidelines, rather my response to the setback. In these moments, I allow the “world’s worst mom” thoughts to creep into my mind and play havoc on the present moment that God has gifted to me. I ought to take a page from Russell Wilson’s playbook and shift my focus: Thank you God for the opportunity to mother these children. You have wired me to be the very best mother these kids need, and I shall never waiver on who You have called me to be.

This also circles back to Dr. Thierfelder’s profound thought:

The degree to which we remain in the present moment is the degree to which we are in union with God.” — Dr. Thierfelder

Have I told you lately how relieved I am that March has arrived? Not only am I more than happy to say sayonara to “The Februaries,” I’m finding consolation in the Holy Father’s March evangelization prayer intention: That the unique contribution of women to the life of the Church be recognized always.

I try to begin each morning saying the Morning Offering. Its words help me unite my will to what God wills for me that day.

O Jesus,
through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I offer You my prayers, works,
joys and sufferings of this day
for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart,
in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world,
in reparation for my sins,
for the intentions of all my relatives and friends,
and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father.
Amen.

The last line unites our prayers with those of the Holy Father’s. Throughout March, when we pray the Morning Offering, we will also pray for the unique contribution of women to the life of the Church, including us moms who bear witness to the faith and devotedly rear our children in the spirit of the Gospel. We are heroically doing so against a backdrop of an increasingly secularized culture while combating the evil one who would have us believe we ain’t cut out for this thing called motherhood. Each time I pray the Morning Offering this month and whisper “for the intentions of the Holy Father,” I will link arms with moms around the world as we pour our everything into the present moment, remain in union with God, and recognize our potential as world-class moms. Join me, please.

Related Resources:

While we’re praying for women’s unique contribution to the life of the Church, now seems like a good time to dust off St. Pope John Paul II’s Mulieris Dignitatem or On the Dignity and Vocation of Women.

This week’s giveaway:

Those who sincerely seek to know God (and themselves) better often struggle to find answers to thoughtful and sometimes troubling questions about the spiritual life, including:

Who is God?

How can I know God’s will in my life?

Does God really hear me when I pray?

Why is there so much suffering in the world today?

What makes Catholicism different than other religions?

Father John Bartunek has spent much of his priesthood helping others understand what it means to have an authentic, personal relationship with God. A master communicator, he is able to make difficult truths understandable, while at the same time issuing a call to action. For those seeking real answers about prayer, spiritual growth, living in the world today, overcoming sin, and the distinctiveness of the Catholic faith, Fr. John’s advice will speak to their souls and touch their heart.

Jesse Romero believes that Catholics are called to radically live their faith, not just study it, talk about it, and hide their light under a bushel. For those who find themselves living in a kind of spiritual coma, Jesse jolts them out of that lukewarm, tepid state. Instead of passively allowing circumstances wash over you, Catholics, Wake Up! shows how to claim every situation for the Lord. We are called to be spiritual warriors, and are meant to triumph with God’s strength over life’s difficulties. This powerful book will energize and empower you to take action and live your Catholic faith vibrantly and courageously.

Enter the heart of a passionate young man, who in his brief life reached the heights of adventure, friendship—and sanctity.

Born to a wealthy family in Turin at the dawn of the 20th century, Pier Giorgio Frassati was good-looking, popular and athletic. He spent much of his youth climbing the rugged Italian Alps, disappearing into the clouds for days at a time. He was quick with a joke or a prank and enjoyed a good time. It seemed he was blessed with everything a young man could ask for.

But he hungered for more.

Despite coming from a family of such prestige, Pier Giorgio spent most days in the slums of Turin, visiting the poor and serving the sick. His love for Christ burned within him and brushed off on everyone he came into contact with – from lepers and orphans to college friends and political diplomats. He shared his Faith with kindness and charity, and defended it passionately against the evils of Fascism, even coming to blows with Mussolini’s thugs on numerous occasions.

Pier Giorgio touched the lives of thousands, yet his high-society parents remained unmoved by the life he led as they frowned upon his religious practices and charitable work. Reaching them would be his last challenge, his final mountain to climb.

To the Heights is an unforgettable novel about Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. Dig deeper than the biographical facts and discover the heart of a charismatic young man whose soul blazes brightly and uniquely among the host of heaven.

How can Christians really live what we believe as followers of Christ? How can our faith in Jesus transform our daily lives? In simple but profound words and vibrant images from the renowned Archbishop of Vienna, Christoph Cardinal Schönborn, the doctrine and the practice of the faith are fruitfully brought together to help us truly to follow Jesus every day.

Cardinal Schönborn addresses the basic questions of Christian morality, and how we live what we believe as followers of Christ. He shows how we are not left alone in the difficult task of coping with life’s challenges: God’s grace is a strong help for us. Thanks to this divine help, good moral conduct is possible— as we see in the shining examples of the saints.

The Cardinal leads from the basic question—What is ethical conduct, and how is it possible?—to the question of holiness: How are we to become saints? Each of his reflections on morality begins with human experience, and then leads into a discussion of the specific character of Christian morality. He explores many important questions about Christian moral living, referring to the teachings of Jesus Christ, as well as insights from the Church Fathers and the saints on such topics as sin, grace, freedom, virtue, conscience, holiness, and more.

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This prize-winning memoir will change forever how you think about faith in the modern world. Under the hot Italian sun Susan Vigilante wrestles with the meaning of love in the face of betrayal, the agony of childlessness, and above all whether a God who does not answer prayers exists—or loves. Set in the stunningly beautiful and ancient hill town of Castel Gandolfo, home to the summer palace of the Popes, this is a book you will never forget, an often hilarious, always deeply moving spiritual memoir about seeking creativity after barrenness, faith amidst doubt, compassion in suffering, and above all choosing love even knowing it must come with pain.

“God sure is clever,” my friend, Nellie and I often say to one another. It is understood between us as an understatement of God’s often subtle and surprising ways.

I imagine that Satan has been surprised a few times by God’s cleverness. The devil chose Hell rather than to humble himself. How ironic that God saved us through his own humility. No one could have expected God, to become a baby, born in a manager, raised by a carpenter, and put to death on a cross, to save the world; least of all Satan. The devil preferred to leave Heaven for eternity in Hell rather than to humble himself before his creator. And his first big score against humanity—original sin—was made possible through the pride of Adam and Eve eating the fruit so they would become like God. Humility would have protected them their foolishness.

How infinitely clever it is that through our humility and thus obedience to God, the devil is defeated. St. John Vianney, the Curé of Ars, who was often harassed by the devil, related a conversation with him. “I can do everything you do, I can also do your penances, I can imitate you in everything. There is one thing, however, that I cannot do, I cannot imitate you in humility.”

“That is why I defeat you,” St. Vianny responded.

In my interviews with several exorcists over the years, their message is consistent: humility, which ends in prayer, adoration, and the sacraments, are the most powerful tools against the devil. How fitting it is then, that the Blessed Mother, the holiest and most humble mother of our Savior Jesus Christ, would defeat Satan through her humility with the lowest part of her body—her heel.

Mary, our beloved Blessed Mother, is found referenced in the first book of the Bible, the Book of Genesis (3:15): “I will put enmities between thee and the women, and thy seed and her seed; she shall crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel.”

Michael Brown wrote an article for Spirit Daily on the Heel that will crush Satan. He pointed out that the Miraculous Medal revealed in 1830 to St. Catherine Labouré in France shows the Blessed Mother stepping on the serpent. And in the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico her very name in the native tongue means, “Who crushes the serpent.”

Brown quoted St. Louis Marie de Montfort on the humble power of Mary in his work True Devotion to Mary: “…Mary’s power over the evil spirits will especially shine forth in the latter times, when Satan will lie in wait for her heel, that is, for her humble servants and her poor children whom she will rouse to fight against him…They will be great and exalted before God in holiness. They will be superior to all creatures by their great zeal and so strongly will they be supported by divine assistance that, in union with Mary, they will crush the head of Satan with their heel, that is, their humility, and bring victory to Jesus Christ” (TD, No. 54).

So we can feel secure standing at the feet of Mary, our Heavenly Mother, ever humble, always pointing to God:

“And Mary said, ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word’” Luke 1:38.

“His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you’” John 2:5.

God used humility as a powerful weapon against evil and gave us His Mother Mary, the humblest and most blessed of all, to defeat the devil in the lowliest way—with the heel of her foot.

The Blessed Mother does not face off in combat with the devil. She refers all to her Divine Son and the devil is defeated under her feet. And so, we stand at the feet of Mary, knowing it is a place of Divine protection, and oh, so very clever.

Copyright 2015 Patti Maguire Armstrong

]]>http://catholicmom.com/2015/03/02/the-devils-surprise/feed/2Don’t Miss Out on Our Accidental Marriage Book Club!http://catholicmom.com/2015/03/02/dont-miss-out-on-our-accidental-marriage-book-club/
http://catholicmom.com/2015/03/02/dont-miss-out-on-our-accidental-marriage-book-club/#commentsMon, 02 Mar 2015 13:00:56 +0000http://catholicmom.com/?p=79701Our current book club kicked off on Saturday with Lisa’s interview with author Roger Thomas. We didn’t want anyone to miss out on reading Chapters 1-2 for this Saturday’s book club discussion! In case you didn’t hear…

What does heroism look like? When does friendship become too costly? Do we ever truly touch one another, or are we doomed to walk alone forever? Can love survive trials, or does it inevitably wither and die?

The Accidental Marriage is a contemporary story that explores these questions through vibrant, sympathetic characters whose struggles and triumphs illustrate that love doesn’t always look like you would expect.

Scott and Megan are friends who live and work in the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area. Mostly contented with their jobs and same-sex relationships, they meet for lunch and sympathetic conversation from time to time.

When Megan’s partner wants a baby, Scott offers to help. The ensuing complications force Scott and Megan to grapple with how much they’re willing to sacrifice for friendship and for the child they’ve conceived. When Megan’s situation unravels, Scott must step up to responsibilities he’s never assumed before. Then his circumstances start to crumble, and a series of misfortunes strip them of everything but each other.

Join us on Saturdays beginning February 28, 2015, as we explore and discuss this novel.

Here’s how it will work:

We’ll post a reflection each week on Saturdays. We have a team of writers who will be reflecting on each chapter and posting discussion questions. You’re welcome to read along with us.

You can participate in a few ways:

1. Read along.

2. Leave comments on each post with your thoughts and impressions or even take a stab at the discussion questions.

3. Interact with other commenters.

4. Share the posts and the discussion in your real-life networks and/or your social networks.

Our reading schedule:

(We’ll link to the posts as they are posted. The links won’t work until that Saturday.)

I opened up today’s Gospel, read, “Stop judging”, and immediately, broke out into laughter.
Thanks, God. This is good. You know me so well.

Confession:

I cannot walk the dog by my neighbor’s house without coming back inside with a litany of complaints about the way they park their car, the way they keep the yard, the way they raise their children, the way they left the ketchup bottle on the hood of their truck for days.

I cannot go to a friend’s house without leaving and thinking, “Their home is enormous! They have so much! Good grief, how much money do they have? And why have I been given so little in comparison?”

I have looked at what other women are wearing, how thin they are, and how they style their hair, and come up with my own impression of the kind of person they must be, even when I have never spoken a single word to them.

I have turned my head away, in attempt to not make eye contact, with the woman who is strange, smoking her cigarette at 8 in the morning.

And while I recite daily, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us,” why is it I have gone to bed at night without kissing my husband, giving him my back, holding onto that grudge?

And the thing is, I know what I need to do to stay close to God. I know what He asks of me; he spells it out pretty clearly. And I can honestly say that remaining in Christ is what I truly want above all things. And still, I choose to judge. Still, I too easily choose to condemn. Still, I choose to fail to forgive, as I hope and pray to be forgiven.

What’s wrong with me?

Truth is, I cannot possibly see with the eyes of Christ, when I take out my yardstick, and measure everyone up; when I try to measure my sin against another’s, my worth against my friend’s, my holiness against my neighbor’s. And the sad reality is that the more I do the measuring, the less I am given in return. The more I appoint myself judge, the harsher I will be judged in return. When the one thing I desire more than anything (and truly am in desperate need of) is God’s unlimited forgiveness, wouldn’t you think it would be easy for me to forgive others endlessly?

Today’s Gospel is both gift and reminder, and I might benefit from re-reading it over and over again, and tattooing it on my face, so that every time I look in the mirror, there is no way I can hide from this sin. I do not want my reflection to be the image of a person who is only capable of feeling good about herself by putting others down; who can only feel large by making others small; who desires to measure and size up and point a finger because standing on the outside and casting the stone is the only way I know how to prove how holy I am. Only God measures, and he promises us that when we choose to give and forgive and allow ourselves to be small, he will not only give back a fair return, but he will give generously, in abundance “shaken down, and over flowing, will be poured into your lap.”
And I want that.

There is no way to measure the cross. It is time to put the yardstick down, fall on our knees, and pray for God’s mercy. Not once a week on Sunday, but every single second of every single day. At least that is what I, a miserable sinner, need to do.

Ponder:

Am I merciful to others the way the Father is merciful to me?

Pray:

Jesus, my Savior, I am sorry for offending you. Please deliver me from the need to judge and condemn others, and grant me a forgiving heart; a heart that loves like yours, a heart that is so generous, it over flows, and pours onto the laps of every person I encounter. Amen.

]]>http://catholicmom.com/2015/03/02/daily-gospel-reflection-for-march-2-2015/feed/1CatholicMom.com Contributors Discuss Their Families Lenten Journeyshttp://catholicmom.com/2015/03/01/catholicmom-com-contributors-discuss-their-families-lenten-journeys/
http://catholicmom.com/2015/03/01/catholicmom-com-contributors-discuss-their-families-lenten-journeys/#commentsSun, 01 Mar 2015 14:00:59 +0000http://catholicmom.com/?p=79964In case you missed it, I wanted to share this very fun video of the recent “Hangout” hosted by Catholic Relief Services and CRS Rice Bowl. The event featured four of your CatholicMom.com friends: Lisa Schmidt, Jared Dees, Sarah Reinhard and me. Our conversation related to how Lent is celebrated in each of our homes. We shared the good, the bad and even the “slacking”!

If you find your commitment to making this Lenten season special and spiritually fulfilling for yourself and your family, I urge you to take some time and enjoy this conversation. I think you’ll agree that many good ideas are shared. I hope you’ll find yourself feeling “affirmed” that Lent in your Domestic Church is not about crafts or what everyone else is doing, but about helping our families grow closer to Jesus Christ, to those in need, and to one another during the forty days of this season.